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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Do Americans 'cluck'?
Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the English librarian,
'makes that weird cluck-cluck sound with his tongue'
when annoyed.
This, I surmise, is the sound conventionally rendered in text as
'Tsk tsk.'
The (American) character who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression. But is that right?
'makes that weird cluck-cluck sound with his tongue'
when annoyed.
This, I surmise, is the sound conventionally rendered in text as
'Tsk tsk.'
The (American) character who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression. But is that right?
Top answer
[nq:1]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the ... who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression. [/nq] Couldn't he mean that only librarians make that noise?
- [nq:1]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the ...
- who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression.
- [/nq] Couldn't he mean that only librarians make that noise?
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42 Answers
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[nq:1]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the ... who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression. But is that right?[/nq]
Couldn't he mean that only librarians make that noise?
Couldn't he mean that only librarians make that noise?
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[nq:1]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the ... who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression. But is that right?[/nq]
I've never thought of it as an expression used by non-Americans and not used by Americans. I can't say I hear it all that often: Perhaps it is being used
I've never thought of it as an expression used by non-Americans and not used by Americans. I can't say I hear it all that often: Perhaps it is being used
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[nq:1]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the ... tsk.' The (American) character who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression.[/nq]
That implication doesn't seem clear based on what you posted. It could be that they hear Americans using it, but they still think it's weird.
That implication doesn't seem clear based on what you posted. It could be that they hear Americans using it, but they still think it's weird.
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[nq:2]I can also imagine variants on the "tsk tsk" that would be weirder than what I think of as the standard "tsk tsk".[/nq]
[nq:1]Is that someone cocking a rifle?[/nq]
Yep: nasty bunch, those tsk tsk tsklansmen.
Mike.
[nq:1]Is that someone cocking a rifle?[/nq]
Yep: nasty bunch, those tsk tsk tsklansmen.
Mike.
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[nq:2]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with ... not use this means of expression. But is that right?[/nq]
In my experience, very few people speaking any variety of English still use it.
[nq:1]I've never thought of it as an expression used by non-Americans and not used by Americans. I can't say I ... is being used less nowadays and that will result (or even has alrea
In my experience, very few people speaking any variety of English still use it.
[nq:1]I've never thought of it as an expression used by non-Americans and not used by Americans. I can't say I ... is being used less nowadays and that will result (or even has alrea
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[nq:1]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the ... who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression. But is that right?[/nq]
I wouldn't presume to guess exactly what Buffy meant, but I'll bet she doesn't mean "tsk tsk". That is more of a sucking sound made by the tongue on the
I wouldn't presume to guess exactly what Buffy meant, but I'll bet she doesn't mean "tsk tsk". That is more of a sucking sound made by the tongue on the
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[nq:1]Aficionados of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be familiar with the remark made in one episode suggesting that Giles, the ... who has the line is clearly implying that Americans do not use this means of expression. But is that right?[/nq]
Whatever happened to "tut, tut"?
For that matter, who actually says/utters "Tsk,tsk"? It's impossible. When I come across it in a script, I render ex
Whatever happened to "tut, tut"?
For that matter, who actually says/utters "Tsk,tsk"? It's impossible. When I come across it in a script, I render ex
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[nq:1]Whatever happened to "tut, tut"? For that matter, who actually says/utters "Tsk,tsk"? It'simpossible. When I come across it in a script, I render exactly as it appears. That stops the action for a bit because nobody knows exactly whatit is supposed to mean anyway.[/nq]
It doesn't seem to be in ASCII IPA. Slipped up there, Evan.
Mike.
It doesn't seem to be in ASCII IPA. Slipped up there, Evan.
Mike.
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Let's take the very sarcastic teen variant (alternative to "Well, da-a-ah!"), "Tisk, Tisk", spoken very slowly and clearly. (Or maybe teen girls don't say that any more?)
I think of this "tsk tsk" sound when teachers are expressing dismay at a student's lack of preparation, but also a the mildest disapproval when someone is weeping. The dismay of a granny or mommy when caring for a skinned kne
I think of this "tsk tsk" sound when teachers are expressing dismay at a student's lack of preparation, but also a the mildest disapproval when someone is weeping. The dismay of a granny or mommy when caring for a skinned kne
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